The alarm clock sounds, but this time Jeff wakes up well rested. It is the first day of summer vacation, and that means he can watch all of his favorite day time television shows with no interruptions. Grabbing a big bowl of his favorite cereal he settles on the couch for what is to be a very eventful day in the world of soap opera heaven. As he gets comfortable little does Jeff know the effect his television watching will have on him.
             Since the 1920's the television has been an integral part of the lives of Americans. When the television was invented, it was designed as a means of dispersing information to the general public. The problem is not just television shows per se, or the Nintendo or internet, but it's the build up of recent years of electronic substitutes for the home life, along with television and it's advertisements (Shapiro, 56 ). As the television became a popular household item, television programmers changed their focus from educating to entertaining. This change resulted in an increase in the number of viewers. Over the last ten years, broadcasters have become more lenient when it comes to the regulation of aired material. Television broadcasts many shows aided primarily at adults during the time when children are the prospective viewers. Unfortunately, children are being exposed to it are experiencing drastic effects on their development. THESIS: It is evident that television not only promotes aggressive behavior, but also encourages passive rather than acting viewing which leads to obesity as well as racial and sexual stereotyping.
             Violence is any cruel and obstructing act done to harm another person. In America, the average child watches television between two and five o'clock in the afternoon. During this slot, there is an average of 138 murders and 175 stabbings or individual attacks on a person shown on television (Signorelli, 127). Most television shows provide violenc...